State minister for law, advocate Quamrul Islam, on Wednesday alleged that Sunday’s mayhem in Paltan area, carried out by the Hefazat-e-Islam, was funded by the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan. He also said that the main opposition BNP and Jamaat had led the attacks. The minister said this at a human chain held at the Bangabandhu avenue in the city on Wednesday. Sammilito Awami Jote organised the human chain programme, in protest against the two-day (May 8 and 9) down-to-dusk hartal called by the BNP.
“The BNP-Jamaat men carried out vandalism, arson and looting during Sunday’s violence,” Quamrul said.
He also said that it was not only the activists of Hefazat Islam, but many BNP-Jamaat men had played a significant role during the mayhem in Paltan.
“No one, who was involved in Sunday’s mayhem, would be spared and stringent action would be taken against those found guilty,” he said, adding that the accused would be tried under the Islami is accused of crimes against humanity committed during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. Earlier, the tribunal kept the verdict pending, announcing court adjourned verdict (CAV) after the legal proceedings ended on April 16. Kamaruzzaman was involved in different crimes during the liberation war including murder, extermination, rape, torture, arson, deportation and confinement; prosecutor AKM Saiful Islam said. “We proved the charges beyond reasonable doubts during the proceedings. Hopefully, he would be given maximum punishment (death penalty) in all seven charges for his 1971 atrocities,” he said. The tribunal framed seven charges against Kamaruzzaman on June 4 last year for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity including murder, torture, rape, arson, confinement and deportation during the liberation war. Witnesses started giving deposition on Criminal Procedure of Code.
“If anyone tries to create 1/11 through destructive incidents in the country, he will have to face tough political and legal action,” he said.
More that 250 makeshift shops adjacent to the Baitulmokarram mosque were set on fire, while around 175 makeshift shops in Paltan area were destroyed during the clashes among the Hafazat Islam, police and Chhatra League.
At least 23 cases have so far been filed against more than 50,000 Hefazat activists and BNP-Jamaat men, in connection with the violence.
On May 5, at least 17 people were killed in the clashes among Chhatra League, police and the Hafazat men in Paltan area.
Courtesy of The Independent
